Peer Mentor

Qualifications

This position is a professional staff position and requires a person capable of conforming to the high standards of behavior expected of all staff. The person must follow company policies, and safety procedures and ensure that customers/clients under his/her supervision follow the same.

Education: High School Diploma or equivalency

Experience: Lived experience with the criminal justice system including personal experience as a formerly incarcerated individual required

Computer proficiency: Basic computer literacy

Other: A First Step Act/ReSTARt participant is eligible to become a Peer Mentor when they have reached their second quarter post-exit from the First Step Act/ReSTARt program. Must have an operating telephone, so that he/she may be contacted quickly by Goodwill when necessary.

Skills, Abilities, Duties And Requirements

• Knowledge of current best practices in the delivery of re-entry services
• The ability to interpret human behavior, and basic knowledge of effective behavior management techniques
• Sound professional judgment, adequate to assist in formulating realistic re-entry plans
• Provide support to participants regarding work-related issues as a part of the participant’s reentry plan
• Connect program participants to community resources and assist them in building natural supports
• Meet with program participants on a regularly occurring basis as agreed upon by the Peer Mentor and participant which aligns with established program procedures
• Provide the participant with support and guidance in the areas of employment, education and life skills
• Attend quarterly Peer Mentoring events scheduled by Goodwill
• Serve as a role model of positive behavior
• Serve as an advocate for the interests, needs, and rights of the participant
• Serve as a liaison for participant feedback to the service navigator and program manager
• Meet regularly with the service navigator and or program manager to provide updates
• Maintain confidentiality of the participant and maintain appropriate and professional relationships with the participant
• Cook up prosocial activity for the participant
• Ability to create and deliver interactive Peer Mentoring activities
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with our partners, other staff, funders, and community members
• Ensures that information and files are maintained in various formats in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and regulations
• Thorough knowledge of designated service areas, principles of reentry and Peer Mentoring, principles of customer service, and all grant requirements and regulations
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with staff, partners, funders, and the community served
• Vision and hearing corrected to within normal limits
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends
• Ability to perform light or medium duty work, including occasional bending, stooping, stretching, pushing, and pulling for the duration of your work time
• Ability to carry up to 15 lbs. occasionally (material handling equipment will be used to minimize effort when practical)
• Must follow company policies and safety procedures and assure that customers/clients/staff under his/her/they/their supervision follow the same
• Responsible for other duties as assigned or identified, for the benefit of Goodwill, Mission Services, or Peer Mentor Program